Interstate 269 in DeSoto and Marshall counties
Construction continues on the state’s largest active highway construction project. The first two phases of are complete and open to traffic from the Tennessee state line in Marshall County to State Route 305 in DeSoto County.

The final nine-mile stretch will connect Interstate I-55 and State Route 305.

“When the final stretch is complete, we will have full connectivity between I-55 and I-40 in Tennessee,” Tagert said. “It will drive new growth opportunities for DeSoto County and north Mississippi.”

The first layer of asphalt has been laid on the entire project. Additional lifts will be laid to tie in bridges and interchanges. More than 100,000 tons of asphalt have been laid on the project to date.

Rain in fall 2017 and cold winter have delayed the project. The paving operation is 35 percent complete and scheduled for completion in late summer 2018.

State Route 6 Tallahatchie River Bridge in Panola County
The 3,300-foot span will replace the existing Tallahatchie River Bridge and relief bridge. The new bridge is on a new alignment just south of the existing bridge. The project includes the realignment and reconstruction of other minor structures within the project limits and the realignment of the Waldrup Road and Macedonia Road intersections.

MDOT will coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to relocate the existing levee on the west side of the Tallahatchie River. MDOT estimates project completion in December 2018.

Other major construction projects in District 2 include the following.

· U.S. Highway 72 Expansion in Marshall County
Construction continues on a project to four-lane the last remaining two-lane section of Highway 72 in Mississippi from State Route 302 to the Tennessee state line in Marshall County. The project will add an interchange at Industrial Road and the realignment of Cayce Road. MDOT anticipates this project to be complete in summer 2018.

· Interstate 55 and State Route 302 Intersection Improvements in DeSoto County
The project adds new right turn lanes to the northbound and southbound exit ramps of I-55 and right turn/through lanes in both directions on State Route 302. The improvements will improve traffic flow at the high-use intersection. Crews are currently doing substantial drainage work at the interchange. The project is slated for a fall 2018 completion.

Work zones can present unfamiliar traffic patterns. For information on how to navigate a highway work zone safely, visitGoMDOT.com/drivesmartms.

For more information about MDOT maintenance and construction projects, visit MDOTtraffic.com, download the free MDOT Traffic mobile app or like and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and Twitter.